South Carolina
Hip Preservation Center

I put together a short video showing me before and after my hip resurfacing. I wanted to share it with you.

I am two years post op TOMORROW. My hip is wonderful and not a day goes by that I don't think about how great it is to be pain-free! Before my surgery, I could barely tie my own shoes and had constant pain 24 hours a day!

I am doing exceptionally well with my hip and want to share with you an achievement from last summer (2011) that would have been impossible without my resurfaced hip.

Last August we went to Colorado for vacation and I successfully hiked to the summit of Pikes Peak at 14,110 ft. I hiked it alone on the Barr Trail which is a 13-mile hike with an elevation gain of 7400 ft from the trailhead to the summit. It took me 7 hours and 20 minutes to complete.

I am so grateful that Dr. Gross was willing to take me as a patient for hip resurfacing on my left hip. With that intervention, I have been active, full of life and productive in the community.

This photo was taken June 3 by a volunteer at the close of the 'Tour de Cure' bicycle event to benefit diabetes research. (This is a national program and two such events were held in Alaska, one in Anchorage and the other in Fairbanks.) There were three levels of participation, 100 km, 50 km and 25 km. Thanks to the hip that is now working, I am happy to say that I completed the 25 km route (along with about 500 other people), had a wonderful time, and raised $150 for diabetes research.

At 5 months post op now, wow I love, love, love my new hip. I feel as if I have been reborn. Sounds corny, but it is true. I have so much more energy now that it is not going towards how bad my hip hurts! The decision to do HR vs. THR was the best decision I have ever made.

This picture was taken last weekend in Pawley's Island, SC just short of 15 weeks post-op. I am pain-free and am now able to enjoy the things I like to do. I am a professor of physical education and athletic training, I also teach gymnastics and practice yoga.

I have played badminton since the age 9, and competitively for 50 years. Over the years, I have won a couple of US National singles titles, several regional single and doubles titles, have coached little kids, big kids, and college level badminton teams.

In early 2010, it became difficult to play. Osteoarthritis in my left hip made playtime extremely painful; my movements around the court became much slower and a noticeable limp and affect were evident. In June of 2010, I stopped playing altogether, as it had become difficult to even walk.

11 months following hip resurfacing surgery, that's me participating in the 2011 Escape From Alcatraz triathlon. Diagnosed with osteoarthritis, plus osteopenia, in one hip, I began my rehab 3 months after surgery, doing swimming, indoor cycling and water jogging.

The first few months upon hitting the pavement, I would experience leg pain in the ITB area on the surgical side, which limited my distance. Plus, for a few minutes, I would get a post-run limp. Though I did walk, on purpose, quite a bit at Alcatraz I had neither leg pain or a post-run limp. Kudos to Dr. Gross and his excellent staff for restoring my ability to do triathlons.

- RB
Right Uncemented HSR 
7/7/2010

I returned to my passion, roller derby, after hip resurfacing with Dr. Gross. Very happy and grateful.

- S.N.
Hip Resurfacing Patient
2011

Climbing Mayan Ruins 10 months post hip resurfacing with Thomas Gross, M.D. Very happy!

Thanks to the whole team.

- A.K.
Hip Resurfacing Patient

It's been 7 months now since having my 2nd hip resurfaced and just wanted to let you know things are going well. A couple of days ago I completed a rim to rim to rim hike of the Grand Canyon (all the way across and back, 45 miles with approx. 11,000' total elevation gain).

Along the way, as could be expected, there were some little nagging discomforts–100+ degree heat, back fatigue, sore feet, etc. One thing I NEVER thought about was my new hip.

I'd done lots of training over the last few months to train; lots of hills and very long hikes, (including a couple of 14,000' peaks in CO in July, at 5 months post-op) and throughout that process the hip felt very natural.

Hi Lee!  I am feeling great!! I wanted to share my story with you in hopes that it may inspire others with hope of a great future after Hip/Knee replacement.

I had a right hip resurfacing and a left total knee replacement with Dr. Gross in the same week, one year ago.

At first, going through the initial physical therapy was tough. But day after day, I was stronger and stronger and inspired to get better. I have two young boys and I wanted to actively be part of their lives!